Fluid dispensing means



Marh 21, i967 A. L., ZINMAN ETAL FLUID DISPENSING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 8, 1965 March 21, 1967 A. L .zlNMAN ETAL 3,310,204

I FLUID DISPENSING MEANS Filed June 8, 1965` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /66/26 /off 95 /N VEA/rows. ALLA/v 4. z/NMA/v L A WEE/VCE M. KA uFfwA/v JJM ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,310,204 FLUID DISPENSING MEANS Allan L. Zinman and Lawrence M. Kauffman, both of Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Prestige International Spray, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 8, 1965, Ser. No. 462,182 Claims. (Cl. Z22-144.5)

The invention relates to a fluid dispensing means, and mor-e particularly to a means for dispensing a plurality of selected fluids.

Although iiuid dispensing means have been provided in the past, the fluid dispensing means of the invention provides a structure which allows the selected dispensing of a plurality of different fluids, by u-se of a compact structure which provides a valve means including fluid rate control adjus-tment means.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new, and improved uid dispensing means which may dispense one or more selected fluids by the use of a unitary dispensing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tiuid dispensing means having a valve structure which readily controls the dispensing of fluids and allows the adjustment of the rate of fluid iiow which rate is not effected by the opening and closing of the valve means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved fluid dispensing means which is of rugged construction, and may be readily maintained or repaired and has a high degree ot utility.

The above objects as well as many other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a i-uid dispensing means which has a body provided with a plurality of iiuid conducting means and a plurality of valve means for respeetively controlling tiuid flow through corresponding ones ofthe conducting means. The body is provided with a plurality of nozzle elements for respectively dispensing iiuid passing through associated conducting means when the corresponding valve means is in its opened position. Each ot the valve means is provided with an adjusting means for controlling the rate of fluid ow through its corresponding conducting means when the valve means is in its opened position.

The valve means comprises a push rod movable between first and second positions corresponding to the opened and closed positions of the valve, means urging the rod towards the secondposition, and a clamping block connecte-d with the rod for movement with the rod between irst and second positions. The'body is provided with an extending edge portion proximate the iiuid conducting means and the block for clamping between it and the block the tiuid conducting means corresponding to the valve means for preventing fluid flow through the conducting means when the clamping block is in its second position. The adjusting means of the valve means comprises a clamping element having a clamping end positioned proximate to the conducting means for restricting fluid flow through its corresponding conducting means of the valve means. The push rod has a threaded portion thread-edly engaging the clamping element for positioning the element along the push rod by rotation of the push rod for adjusting the position of the element with respect to the clamping block for compressing the conducting means therebetween for controlling the rate of luid flow when the valve means is in its opened position. The adjusmen-t of the adjusting means is uneected by the movement of the push rod between its first and second positions.

The block means is non-rotationally retained within the body and has a detent means engaging the rod for retaining the rod in its rotational position upon adjustment of the adjusting means of the valve means.

The fluid conducting means comprises a removable block unit having ui-d passages therethrough and a plurality of plastic fluid conducting tubes detachably connected between respective passages of the block unit and said nozzle element, respective ones of said tubes being restricted and compressed by corresponding ones of said valve means for controlling and adjusting fluid ow therethrough to the nozzle elements.

The tiuid dispensing means includes means for providing air under pressure t-o each of the nozzle elements of the body through predetermined ones of the conducting means and means for providing respective different uids through predetermined ones of theconducting means for dispensing by the dispensing means.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view illustra-ting the uid dispensing means of the invention connected with uid supplying means;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the uid dispensing means taken on a line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional fragmentary view taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional fragmentary view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional fragmentary View taken on line 88 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

The iiuid dispensing means 10 embodying the invention, comprises a body 12, having top and bottom sections 14 and 16, which are secured together by appropriate means such as the screw elements 18.

The body 12 has a iirst dispensing end 20 provided with a plurality of nozzle elements 22, a second handle end 24, and an intermediate portion 26 (see FIGURE 2).

The body 12 provides a cavity 28 therewithin which receives a removable block unit 30 having a cross contiguration (see FIGURE 4) and being provided with a plurality of passages 32 therethrough.

The handle end 24 of the body 12 is provided with an `opening 34 as shown in FIGURE 4 which receives a cable 36 therethrough, containing therein an air conducting tube 38 and iiuid conducting tubes 40, 42 and 44 (see FIGURE l). The air conducting tube 38 connects with the passage 46 of the passages 32 in the block unit 30 at its end 48, while the fluid conducting tubes 40, 42, and 44 connect with respective passages 50, 52 and 54 at the end 48 of t-he block unit 30.

The cable 36 at its other end 56, has its air conducting tube 38 connected by a junction 58 with three air conducting tubes 60 which respectively connect with liquid containers 62, I64 and 66. The ends 68 of the tubes 60 pass through the removable caps 70 of the containers 62, l64 and `66 and communicate with the air space above the liquid contained within these containers. The tubes 40, 42 and 44 also respectively extend through the caps 70 into the containers 62, 64 and 66 with their ends 72 each positioned within the liquid contained therein proxi' mate to the bottom 74 of its containers 62, 64 and 66. Each of the caps 70 of the containers `62, 64 and 66 also receives therethrough a respective air conducting tube 76 which are all joined by a connection 78 with a tube 80 which receives air under pressure from a compressed air source such as an air compressor device. The ends 82 of the tubes 76 also extend into the air space at the top of the containers 62, 64 and 66.

The passage 46 of the block unit 30 is connected at its forward end 84 with a flexible compres-sible air conl ducting tu-be 86 which 'has its other end 88 (see FIGURE 8) communicating through the nozzle cavity 90 with the nozzle 92 of the nozzles 22. The passage 46 of the block unit 30 also connects with the cross-passage 94 extending across the cross arm 96 of the block unit 30. T-he end 98 of the passage 94 connects with a liexible compressible air conducting tube 100, while the end 102 of the passage 94 connects with a similar compressible tube 104 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The tubes 100 and 104 are also provided with respective ends 106, 108 which communicate with the nozzle cavities 110, 112 of the nozzles 114, 116.

The passage 50` of the block unit 30 extends into the cross arm 96 and has its end 118 connected wit-h a exible compressib-le tube 120 which is positioned along side and substantially parallel to the tube 100, while the passage 52 of block unit 30 is connected at its end 122 with a iiexible compressible tube 124 which is positioned along `side and substantially parallel to the tube 86, and the passage 54 of block unit 30 extends into the cross arm 96 and is connected at its ends 126 with a compressible ilexible tube 128 which is positioned along side and substantially parallel to the tube 104. The extending ends of the iiuid conducting tubes 120, 124 and 128 each have an end 130 which extends to the tip ends 132 of its nozzle element 22 as more particularly shown in FIGURE 8 in connection with the nozzle element 92.

The tubes 100 and 120 are associated with a valve means 134, while tubes 86 and 124 are associated with a valve means 136, and tubes 104 and 128 are associated with a valve means 138. The valve means 134, 136 and 138 are retained by the body 12 at its intermediate portion 26, with the valve means 134 and 138 spaced symmetrically apart on each side of the longitudinal axis, and the valve means 136 being positioned on the longitudinal axis ahead of the other two valve means to form a triangular arrangement.

Each of the valve means 134, 136 and 138 includes a push rod 140 having an upper end 142 which movably extends through an opening 144 in the top section 14 of the body 12. The top 142 of the push rod 140 has secured therewith a button 146 for manually actuating the push rod 140 in a downward direction for opening its valve means 134, 136 and 138. A coil spring 148 is received aboutthe upper end 142 of the push rod 140 between the button 146 and the top surface of the top casing 14 -for urging the push rod 140 in the upward direc tion extending same from the body 12 for normally retaining the valve means in its closed position. 'Ilhe body 12 provides within it a rectangular opening or cavity 150 for each of the valve means 134, 136 and 138 for receiving therein a respective clamping block 152 of each of the valve means. The block 152 is movable with the push rod 40 in the upward and downward directions along the axial direction of the push rod 140, and has a rectangular form as clearly shown at FIGURE 7, preventing rotation of same about the axis of the push rod 140. rI`he bottom of the clamping block 152 is provided with a circular cavity 154 which receives therein a detent wheel 156 which is threadedly secured with the bottom end 158 of the push rod 140. The detent wheel 156 is enclosed and retained within the cavity 154 by a bottom plate 160.

The top section 14 of the body 12 provides each of the valve means 134, 136 and 138, with a respective depending, tube-compressing edge 162, 164 and 166 shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. With the valve means 134, 136 and 138 in their normal closed positions, the spring elements 148 maintain the push rods 140 with theircompres-s'ion blocks 152 in their upward or extended position. When so positioned, each of the pairs of tubes (such as the exible compressible tubes 86, 124 shown in connection with the valve means 136 in FIGURE 2,) associated with said valve means 134 and 136 and 138, are compressed between their clamping blocks 152 and the tube com= pressing edges 162, 164 and 166, restricting and preventing the flow of Huid through said tubes to their associated nozzle elements 92. Upon the depression of any one of the valve means 134, 136 and 138, by the application of downward force to its button 146, its push rod moves the compression block 152 downwardly within the cavity removing the compressing force applied to the associated pair of tubes, allowing air under pressure to ow through its air conducting tubes 86, 100, 104 while a fluid delivered from the containers 62, 64, 66 is delivered through the tubes 124, 120, 128 to its nozzle 22 depending upon the valve means actuated for dispensing fluid by the device 10.

Referring to the particular nozzle 92 shown in detail in FIGURE 8, when the valve means 136 is manually actuated, the compressed air which is supplied through the tube 86 is delivered through the cavity 92 to the region 168 within the nozzle 92 Afor being dispensed through the opening 170 of the nozzle 92 with the iluid drawn through the tube 124 to provide a desirable spray of the liquid derived from the lcontainer 64. Similarly, when either of the valve means 136, and 138 are respectively depressed, a spray of fluid or liquid received from its associa-ted container 62, 66 is dispensed by its respective nozzle element 114 and 116. Thus, any one of the liquids stored within the containers 62, 64 and 66 may be dispensed by the selective actuation of the valve means 134, 136 and 138.

It is noted that the compressed air delivered through the lines 76 to the containers 62, 64 and 66 provides a pressure within the said containers, and allows the delivery of air under pressure through the tubes 60, the passages 46 and 94 of the block unit 30, and tubes 86, 100, and 104, to the nozzles 92 for effecting the spray discharge of selected material provided by said containers.

Thus, for example, if the dispensing means 10 is -to be utilized by a beautician, the containers 62, 64 and 66 may contain respectively hair spray solution, lacquer, and hair setting solution. The operator thus, Iby using the slngle uid dispensing means 10 may in desired sequence apply such solutions as may be desired or required in perfforming his duties. Of course, the containers may be provided with solutions such as shampoo, cream rinse, or other sol-utions as may be desired by the operator. Although the use of this `device has been noted in connection with the treatment of hair by a beautician, the delvice may iind ready application for applying spray action in any sequence desired, various solutions contained in the plurality of containers connected with the uid dispensing means 10. Although three Valve means have been shown in illustrating the dispensing means 10, allowing the controlled spraying of three different solutions, Imore or less valve means may be provided for permitting4 the selective dispensing of more or fewer solutions.

Each valve means 134, 136 and 138 is provided with adjusting means 200 for adjusting the rate of flow of uid through its associated tubes 120, 124 and 128, when a valve means is actuated to its opened position. The adjusting means 200 comprises a clamping element 202 having a horizontal portion 204 which threadedly engages the push rod 140 within the chamber 150 of the body 12. A depending end 206 of the element 202 is positioned above the top surface of the block unit 152 and has an upwardly extending end 208 which is movably received4 within a vertical guide slot 210 within the top section 14 of the body 12.

The adjusting means 200 of each valve means is set by rotating the button 146 of its valve means 134, 136 and 138. This causes the clamping element 202 t-o move upwardly or downwardly along the push rod 140 depending upon the direction of the rotation of push rod 140. Thus, if the push rod 140 is rotated to move the element 202 in a downward direction, its clamping portion 206 which is positioned above a tube 120, 124 and 128 associated with the valve means 134, 136, 138 moves downwardly to compress such tube between it and the top surface of the block unit 152. Thus, by the degree that the llexible compressible tube is deformed by the clamping action of the adjusting means 200, the rate of ilow of lluid or liquid through such tube will be controlled through the restriction in the opening through said tube.

Thus, each valve means may have its adjusting means 200 independently set by rotation of its push rod 140. Of course, the adjustment made will depend upon the solution being dispensed, the temperature of the solution and such other factors. The set position of the adjusting means 200 is retained by the detent wheel 156 (see FIG- URE 7) which is provided with a plurality of detents 212 about its periphery which co-acts with a ball 214. The ball 214 is urged into the detents 212 by a spring 216 retained within a passage 218 within the block unit 152. The detent means, while preventing the undesired rotation of the push rod 140, yet allows the push rod 140 to be manually rotated when it is desired to readjust the adjustment means 200.

It is noted that the relative position between the clamping end 206 of the element 202 and the block unit 152 is uneflected by the actuation of the valve means between its open and closed positions. Therefore, the operation of the valve means does not result in the variation or change in the set adjustment provided by the adjusting means 200.

In operation, when a valve means 134, 136 and 138 is selected for actuation, the downward movement of the push rod 140 of the selected valve means releases from its clamped and restricted condition, the associated pair of tubes allowing compressed air and iluid respectively to ilow through said tubes and be dispensed by the associated nozzle element 22.

The disclosed lluid dispensing means 10 thus provides a high degree of utility by providing means for selectively dispensing a plurality of iluids and solutions from a single dispensing unit, allows the ready selection of fluid to be sprayed by the push button actuation of respective valve means, and provides for easy control of rate of llow of the lluid being dispensed by the rotation of the push rod of the associated valve means. The disclosed iluid dispensing means also provides a construction which may readily be disassembled for quick and elicient repair, and provides a removable block unit contained within the body of the device 10 for positioning and maintaining the ilexible compressible tubes in their proper position for clamping and restriction by the associated valve means.

It Will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may iind wide application with appropriate modification to meet the individual design circumstances, but without substantial departure yfrom the essence of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A iluid dispensing means for controllably dispensing a plurality of fluids including a body provided with a plurality of fluid conducting means, and a plurality of valve means for respectively controlling iluid llow through corresponding ones of said conducting means; said valve means each having opened and closed positions and each being provided with adjusting means for controlling the rate of lluid ilow through its corresponding conducting means when its said valve means is in its opened position; said body being provided with a plurality of nozzle elements for respectively dispensing tluid passing through an associated one of said conducting means when its corresponding valve means is in its opened position; the adjusting means of said valve means comprising a push rod having a threaded portion, and a clamping element threadedly engaging the threaded portion of said rod and having a clamping end positionable proximate to and for restricting fluid llow through its corresponding conducting means, the position of said element on said push rod being adjusted by rotation of said push rod lfor adjusting the rate of lluid ilow through said conducting means.

2. A fluid dispensing means for controllably dispensing a plurality of iluids including a body provided with a plurality of iluid conducting means; and a plurality of valves for respectively controlling fluid ilow through corresponding ones of said conducting means; said valve means each having opened and closed positions and each being provided with adjusting means for controlling the rate of lluid ilow through its corresponding conducting means when its said valve means is in its opened position; said body being provided with a plurality of nozzle elelments for respectively dispensing lluid passing through an associated one of said conducting means when its 'corresponding valve means is in its opened position; said valve means comprising a push rod movable between first and second positions corresponding to the opened and closed positions of said valve means, means urging said rod toward the second position, a clamping block connected with said rod for movement with said rod between lrst and second positions, lsaid body being provided with an extending edge portion proximate said iluid conducting means and said block lfor clamping between it and said block the lluid conducting means corresponding to said valve means for preventing lluid ilow through said conducting means when said clamping block is in its second position; the adjusting means of said valve means comprising a clamping element having a clamping end positioned proximate to said conducting means for restricting fluid flow through its corresponding conducting means of said valve means; said push rod having a threaded portion threadedly engaging said clamping element for positioning said element along said push rod by rotation of said push rod for adjusting the position of said element with respect to said clamping block for compressing said conducting means therebetween for controlling the rate of iluid flow when said valve means is in its opened position, the adjustment of said adjusting means being uneected by the movement of said push rod between its first and second positions.

3. The means of claim 2 in which said block is nonrotationally retained within said body and has a detent means engaging said rod for retaining said rod in its set rotational position upon adjustment of said adjusting means of said valve means.

4. The means of claim 3 -in which said body is provided With a cavity therewithin, and said iluid conducting means comprises a removable block unit having tluid passages therethrough and a plurality of plastic iluid conducting tubes detachably connecting between respective passages of said block unit and said nozzle elements, respective ones of said tubes being restricted and compressed by corresponding ones of said valve means for controlling and adjusting lluid ilow therethrough to said nozzle elements.

5. The means of claim 3 including means for providing air under pressure to each of the nozzle elements of said body through predetermined ones of said conducting means, and means -for providing respectively different lluids through predetermined ones of said conducting means for dispensing by said dispensing means.

6. A iluid dispensing means comprising va body provided With lluid conducting means; valve means having opened and closed positions for controlling iluid llow through said conducting means; and a nozzle element for dispensing iluid passing through said conducting means when said valve means is in its opened position; said valve means being provided with adjusting means for adjustably controlling the rate of iluid ow through said conducting means when said valve means' is in its opened position; the adjusting mean-s of said valve means comprising a push rod having a threaded portion, and a clamping element threadedly engaging the threaded portion of said rod and having a clamping end positionable proximate to said conducting means -for restricting liuid flow therethrough, the position of said element along said push rod being adjusted by rotation of said push rod for adjusting the rate of uid ow through said conducting means.

7. A uid dispensing means comprising a body provided with uid conducting means; valve means having opened and closed positions for controlling fluid ow through said conducting means; and a nozzle element for dispensing fluid passing through said conducting means when said valve means is in its opened position; said valve means being provided with adjusting means `for adjustably controlling the rate of fluid ow through said conducting means when said valve means is in its opened position; said valve means comprising a push rod movable between rst and second positions corresponding to the opened and closed positions of said valve means, means urging said rod toward its second position, a clamping block connected with said rod for movement with said rod between rst and second positions; said body being provided With an extending edge portion proximate said uid conducting means and said block for clamping between it and said block the fluid conducting means corresponding to said valve means for preventing uid flow through said conducting means when said clamping block is in its second position; the adjusting means of said valve means comprising a clamping element having a clamping end positioned proximate to said conducting means for restricting iiuid ilow through said conducting means; said push rod having a threaded portion threadedly engaging said clamping element for positioning said element along said push rod by rotation of said push rod for adjusting the position of said element with respect to the said `clamping block for compressing said conducting means therebetween for controlling the rate of fluid ow when said valve means is in its opened position, the adjustment of said adjusting means being unefected by the movement of said push rod between its rst and second positions.

8. The means of claim 1 in which said block is nonrotationally retained within said body and has a detent means engaging said rod for retaining said rod -in its set rotational position upon adjustment of said adjusting means of said valve means.

9. The means of claim 8 in which said body is provided with a cavity therewithin, and said uid conducting means comprises a removable block unit having liu-id passages therethrough and a plurality of plastic uid con ducting tubes detachably connecting between respective passages of said block unit and said nozzle element, said tubes being restricted and compressed by said valve means for controlling and adjusting fluid flow therethrough to said nozzle element.

10. The means of claim 9 including means for providing air under pressure to the nozzle element of said body through one of the tubes of said conducting means and means for providing a predetermined fluid through another one of the tubes of said conducting means for dispensing by said dispensing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,677,453 7/1928 Jones 251-7 X 1,849,945 3/1932 Mobley et al. 239-307 X 3,144,967 8/1964 McClain Z22-144.5

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner'.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FLUID DISPENSING MEANS FOR CONTROLLABLY DISPENSING A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS INCLUDING A BODY PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF FLUID CONDUCTING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF VALVE MEANS FOR RESPECTIVELY CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW THROUGH CORRESPONDING ONES OF SAID CONDUCTING MEANS; SAID VALVE MEANS EACH HAVING OPENED AND CLOSED POSITIONS AND EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE RATE OF FLUID FLOW THROUGH ITS CORRESPONDING CONDUCTING MEANS WHEN ITS SAID VALVE MEANS IS IN ITS OPENED POSITION; SAID BODY BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF NOZZLE ELEMENTS FOR RESPECTIVELY DISPENSING FLUID PASSING THROUGH AN ASSOCIATED ONE OF SAID CONDUCTING MEANS WHEN ITS CORRESPONDING VALVE MEANS IS IN ITS OPENED POSITION; THE ADJUSTING MEANS OF SAID VALVE MEANS COMPRISING A PUSH ROD HAVING A THREADED PORTION, AND A CLAMPING ELEMENT THREADEDLY ENGAGING THE THREADED PORTION OF SAID ROD AND HAVING A CLAMPING END POSITIONABLE PROXIMATE TO AND FOR RESTRICTING FLUID FLOW THROUGH ITS CORRESPONDING CONDUCTING MEANS, THE POSITION OF SAID ELEMENT ON SAID PUSH ROD BEING ADJUSTED BY ROTATION OF SAID PUSH ROD FOR ADJUSTING THE RATE OF FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID CONDUCTING MEANS. 